Overview
- WABA, which sued Monday, says the Justice Department confirmed work will not start before March 30.
- Federal officials plan to pull the protected lane to manage crowding for the Cherry Blossom Festival and the nation’s 250th, and FHWA cast the move as a return to “common sense” planning that restores road capacity.
- The contested stretch sits on federal land through the National Mall, giving the Park Service, U.S. DOT, and FHWA authority over decisions that usually sit with D.C.’s transportation agency.
- District data show crashes dropped 46% and bicycle injury crashes fell 91% after the lane was installed, and Mayor Muriel Bowser opposes removal on safety grounds.
- The route links the White House area, the Tidal Basin, and the 14th Street Bridge, so advocates warn closing it would push riders into car lanes or onto crowded sidewalks.